Belgium's Michel called for an investigation into the violence in which 60 Palestinians were killed on the border with Israel as the US moved its embassy to Jerusalem. The Belgian call came after the United Kingdom and Germany also threw their support behind calls for an inquiry.

"The violence committed in the Gaza Strip yesterday is unacceptable. We call for an international inquiry led by the United Nations," Michel said in a joint statement with Foreign Minister Didier Reynders.

The strongly worded statement said the Israeli army crackdown amounted to a "disproportionate use of force" against civilians, adding: "Firing live rounds on protesters is shameful."

The Belgians also criticized the United States, warning that the "unilateral decision of President Trump to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and transfer the US embassy there takes us still further from peace."